Blood Tests and Procedures

The most common diagnostic tests are described below. When choosing a diagnostic test(s), your doctor will consider the person’s age and medical condition, the type of cancer suspected, the severity of the symptoms, and previous test results.

Blood test and procedure
Barium Enema A barium enema is an x-ray of the colon and rectum. The colon and rectum make up the large intestine, which helps the body process waste. A barium enema helps doctors find health conditions in the colon and rectum, such as inflammation, polyps, and cancer. Barium is a contrast medium. A contrast medium is a substance used to make clearer images of the inside of the body.	Biopsy For most types of cancer, a biopsy is the main way doctors diagnose it. During a biopsy, a doctor removes a small amount of tissue to examine under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but only a biopsy can make a diagnosis.Your doctor may recommend a biopsy if he or she finds something suspicious during a physical exam or other tests.
Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy A bone marrow aspiration is a procedure that removes a sample of the liquid portion of bone marrow. A bone marrow biopsy removes a small, solid piece of bone marrow.Doctors also use these procedures to describe a blood cancer, identify its subtype,or identify the stage of cancer.	Bone Scan A bone scan helps find cancer that has started in or has spread to the bones. In addition, a bone scan can help monitor how well treatment is working for cancer in the bone.A bone scan is a nuclear medicine test. This means that the procedure uses a very small amount of a radioactive substance, called a tracer. The tracer is injected into a vein. Areas where too much or too little tracer has been absorbed by the body may indicate cancer.
Breast MRI A breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test is a diagnostic examination. It uses magnetic fields to capture multiple images of the breast tissue. These images are combined to create detailed, computer-generated pictures of the cancer tissue inside your breasts.	Colonoscopy A colonoscopy is a way to view the entire large intestine. The large intestine helps the body process waste. The first 5 to 6 feet of the large intestine is the colon.The last 6 inches of the large intestine is the rectum, ending at the anus.Doctors use a colonoscopy to find the cause of colorectal problems .It is also used to screen for Colorectal Cancer.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan A Computed Tomography (CT) Scan, also called a CAT scan,is a Diagnostic exam used to detect tumors, determine the stage of the disease and whether cancerous cells have spread, and find out about the effectiveness of cancer treatment.	Types of Endoscopy Endoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to view the inside of a person's body. Originally, endoscopy was only used in the esophagus, stomach, and colon. Now, doctors use endoscopy to diagnose diseases of the ear, nose, throat, heart, urinary tract, joints, and abdomen.Your doctor may recommend an endoscopy for various reasons: To screen for and prevent cancer To diagnose a disease or find out the cause of symptoms To give treatment
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) A digital rectal exam (DRE) is a test for both men and women. It allows a doctor to check the lower rectum, pelvis, and lower belly for cancer and other health problems, including: •Prostate cancer in men. •Blood in the stool or an abnormal mass in the anus or rectum. •Uterine or ovarian cancer in women, along with a vaginal examination.	EKG and Echocardiogram An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) and/or an echocardiogram (an echo) help find problems with the heart muscle, valves, or rhythm. Some people may need one of these tests before chemotherapy to find a pre-existing heart condition.
Fecal Occult Blood Tests The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is used to find blood in the feces, or stool. Blood in the stool may be a sign of colorectal cancer or other problems, such as ulcers or polyps. These are growths that develop on the inner wall of the colon and rectum.	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Doctors use magnetic resonance imaging, also called an MRI, to find cancer. They also use it to learn more about cancer after they find it. They can use it to: •Determine if a tumor is noncancerous or cancerous. •Learn more about the size and location of the tumor. •Help doctors plan cancer treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy. •Monitor how well treatment is working.
Mammography Mammography is an x-ray that checks for breast cancer in women. The images that it produces are called mammograms. These images may show small tumors that cannot be felt. Mammograms may also show other irregularities in the breast.	MUGA Scan A multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan checks to see if your heart is pumping blood properly. Some people with cancer receiving Chemotherapy may need to have this test during their cancer treatment.
Pap Test A Pap test,also called a PaP smear, detects cervical cancer and can also find earluy changes in the cells of a woman's cervix that, if left untreated ,could turn into cancer. if a doctor treat these irregular cells, the patient has almost 100% chances of being cured.	Positron Emission Tomography & Computed Tomography (PET-CT) Scans A PET scan may be combined with a CT scan at many cancer treatment centers. However, you may hear your doctor refer to this procedure just as a PET scan It also helps doctors predict your chance of recovery. Doctors also use PET-CT scans to: •Find the right place for a biopsy. •Find out if the cancer treatment is working. •Evaluate how well treatment worked after it ends.
Sigmoidoscopy A sigmoidoscopy is a way to view the lower 20 inches of a patient’s sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon and rectum are part of the large intestine. The large intestine helps the body process waste.The first 5 to 6 feet of the large intestine is the colon. The last 6 inches of the large intestine is the rectum, ending at the anus.Sigmoidoscopy is one way to screen for colorectal cancer andintestinal polyps.	Tumor Marker Tests Tumor markers are substances found at higher than normal levels in the blood, urine, or body tissue of some people with cancer. Although cancer cells often produce tumor markers, healthy cells in the body may produce them as well. Tumor markers are also called biomarkers.High tumor marker levels can be a sign of cancer.
Ultrasound An ultrasound, also called sonography or ultrasonography, is an imaging test. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of internal organs. The sound waves hit the organs and bounce back to a device called a transducer. The transducer turns the sound waves into images for the doctor to examine on a computer. The sound waves echo differently when bouncing off abnormal tissue and healthy tissue. This helps the doctor detect a potential tumor.	Upper Endoscopy An upper endoscopy allows a doctor to examine the upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This area is made up of the: •Esophagus, which is the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach •Stomach •Duodenum, which is the top of the small intestine An upper endoscopy is also called an upper GI endoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

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